American Dies in Algeria Hostage Standoff

Sources confirm to FOX News, one American has been found dead at the site of a hostage standoff at a natural gas complex in the Sahara Desert.

It’s unclear when the U.S. citizen was killed; in the initial attack by Islamic Militants earlier this week, or during a rescue operation. Algerian State Television reports 12 hostages have been killed. The militant group behind the attack claims many more died when Algeria’s special forces moved in on the complex.

BP, the company that operates the natural gas plant has evacuated foreign workers out of the country. A U.S. military plane has with evacuations.

In Washington, Jared Halpern, FOX News Radio.

Editor’s Note: From FOX’s Jennifer Griffin: According to sources briefed on the BP hostage standoff – The American who died during the hostage standoff Frederick Buttaccio, of Texas, died of a heart attack during the raid by the Algerian military to end the standoff. His family was notified of his death by the State Department. FOX can also confirm that the American General Manager of the BP complex Mark Cobb, also of Texas, managed to escape with some of his Algerian staff and is safe.

On Friday, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton commented on the hostage standoff during a State Department press event.